Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is poised to lead House Republicans in the next Congress, and GOP lawmakers are already making the case that he is suited to the job.
Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has been a prominent figure for years. He became known as an aggressive conservative after helping establish the House Freedom Caucus in 2015.
Republicans say that style could serve him well as minority leader, whose central task is often to challenge the majority’s agenda. They argue Jordan could make the case against Democratic proposals and potentially weaken the party’s argument for holding the House in 2028.
“Our goal right now is to stop bad ideas,” said Rep. Mike Haridopolos of Florida. He expects Jordan to explain clearly why he believes some Democratic proposals go too far.
Haridopolos has long supported House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Scalise lost this week’s leadership contest to Jordan, 106 votes to 73, according to people familiar with the result. Even some Scalise supporters, though, have since rallied behind Jordan.
Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas, who had said he planned to vote for Scalise, called for Republicans to unite after the election. He said he was ready to help Jordan and the party reach voters and win back the majority in 2028.
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald of Wisconsin, a Jordan ally, pointed to Jordan’s experience facing Democrats on the Oversight and Judiciary committees. Those panels could figure prominently in investigations of the Trump administration, and possibly in impeachment efforts.
Fitzgerald said Democrats’ plans could quickly become a burden for them. Jordan, he added, understands the dynamic because Republicans have been on the receiving end of similar tactics.
During six years as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Jordan built a reputation as a forceful defender of President Donald Trump and the GOP. He is known for pointed questioning of witnesses seen as sympathetic to Democrats and for leading investigations into Justice Department officials whom Republicans accuse of obstructing Trump’s agenda.
Russell Dye, a former longtime aide to Jordan, said the congressman brings an energetic, competitive approach to hearings, press conferences and floor debates. Dye expects him to fight hard, while communicating in a way ordinary Americans can follow. “He’s a fighter,” Dye said.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who is expected to serve as Jordan’s deputy, described him as energetic and decisive.
Jordan has also suggested he will lead Republicans’ response to what they expect will be a wave of Democratic investigations. In an interview Wednesday night, he said Republicans would push back in committee hearings, where investigations and impeachment efforts often begin.
Jordan accused Democrats of targeting their political opponents and said Republicans would respond across committees by presenting what they consider the facts to the public.
Republicans close to Jordan say his approach as minority leader may differ from his earlier reputation as a Freedom Caucus chairman. He has moved away from publicly criticizing fellow Republicans and has instead emphasized unity, a message that people familiar with his leadership campaign said he stressed during the race.
Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia said Jordan had developed into a party spokesman and was the right messenger for the moment. He added that Jordan had been preparing for the role for decades.
Whether Jordan’s more pragmatic approach will also extend to negotiations with Democrats remains uncertain. Asked if Jordan could work out agreements with the other party, Rep. John Rutherford of Florida said he thought so, adding that Jordan has the president’s support.
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